Method of joining bell and spigot pipe sections



Nov. 6, 1934. J. c. JOHNSTON Filed May l0, 1930 ATTORNEY lNvENToR- @NES 6 gaw/vsra/v BY Patented Nov. e, 19e-4" l 979 "170 METHOD F JOINING BELL AND SPIGOT PIPE SECTIONS James C'. Johnston, Seattle, Wash., assignor to Gladding McBean & Company, a corporation of California Application May 1o, 1930, serla1No.451,275 2 Claims. (Cl. 18-59) rII'his invention relates to improvements in pipe of plastic sealing material, and likewise, 4molding joints and it has' reference in particular to ra lbands or collars of a like material about the out- It is the principal object of the present ini A not'her object of th e invention is to provide 65 it has been the usual practise heretofore when wherein-- y l tiling of the above character was laid, to assemble Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the end the pipe sections together by inserting the spigot portions of tile sections which are to be joined end of each successive tile into the bell 'end of and which have been provided with joint sealing the precedingone, and to then lill the joint with material, in accordance with the details of the 99 s operation usually has 'present invention. l `to be carried on within a ditch or tunnel in Figure 2 is a sectional detail of the ends of the which thev pip yisbeing laid, and where the work tile sections in disconnected relation. y is done under \difliculties and consequently, the Figure 3 is a similar view ofthe ends after an sealing of joints is a very slow operation and being connected illustrating the use of grooving '85 poorjoining frequently occurs. for anchoring the Jointing material to the pipe There is the disadvantage in the ordinary sections. e Y method of laying tile, or sewer pipe, that the pipe Referring more in detail to the drawingsections are not always properly centered, and 1 and 2,'respectively, designate the adjacent it is practically impossible when the spigot end end portions of tubular tiling sections which arego 40 effective use of the pipe since they cause sewage ward direction and which terminates at its base 5 to be caught and held. This generally causes inaat annular shoulder, or abutment 5. Encirclogging, cling the iange of the bell in itsinner surface In view of the'above disadvantages,-it has been is a shallow groove or channel 6 and in olded withthe main object of the present invention to proin the inner surface of the bell is a lining 7 of 'vide a, joint that is not lonly durable, practical jointsealing material which may be a prepared 100 and exceedingly tight, but which may be prepared asphalt composition,V tar, or any other suitable prior to the actual assembling together 4and is plastic material, which may be molded into place diiliculties and delay at the time the pipe is laid, molded lining is slightly tapered inwardly to pro/- 105 and permanent connection. part, as will presently be described.

Specifically Stated, the present invention re- The adjacent spigot end portion of the tiling sides in molding linings about the inside surface section 2 is adapted to be projected into the bell I of the bell or socket ends oi the sections consisting or socket portion 3. It is provided near the end n0- with a shallow encircling groove, or channel 8 and molded about this end portion is a collar or band 9 of the plastic, joint forming material. This band likewise would be molded about the pipe end so that it would iill the groove and would thereby form a key to lock itself to the pipe. This collar would be slightly tapered to conform to the taper of the inner surface of the lining of the bell portion and it would be of proper dimensions to flt tightly within the lining of the4 bell end portion of the tile section l for sealing the joint.

It is to be understood that the lining 7 in the bell and the collar or band 9 on the spigot end of the pipe sections would be molded thereon by any suitable means before the time the tile is actually assembled for use, and preferably would be done at the factory under the most favorable conditions and while the tiling is thoroughly dry and clean so as to positively insure adherence of the jointing material to the pipe. After the jointing material has been molded in place, it is permitted to set and the pipe sections may be stored away until ready for use. At the time assembly is made for the construction of a drainage pipe conduit, or sewer pipe, or the like, it is only required that the spigot ends be projected into the socket ends to cause the collar portions 9 to wedge tightly within the lining of the bell ends. Prior to joining the parts together a solvent or softener, such as gasoline, is applied to the surfaces of the lining and collar. This solvent softens the surfaces so that when the sections are fitted together the softened surface of the collar will unite with the softened surface of the lining and as the solvent evaporates, the two parts will unite to form an integral homogeneous mass and by reason of the key portions formed and the encircling groove of the joined sections, the joint will serve as a key or'lock to prevent disconnection of the pipe sections.

It is to be understood that I make no claim to any specific joint forming composition. Th'e composition or material used may consist of any suitable material, either plastic, semi-plastic, or otherwise which may be molded to form a lining within and a collar about the bell and spigot ends, respectively, of the joint and which will readily adhere and conform to each other when the sections are properly assembled.

' A joint of this character is suitable for various kinds of pipes, or tiling, and it is not intended that the invention be limited in its use to any particularly shaped tiling or pipe, or to pipes used for any particular purpose or of pipes made of any particular material; the present disclosure shows it in its preferred and most common use.

Drainage pipes, or the like, made up of sections joined in the manner above specified, are not damaged by slight ground sag, or torque, since the joint is of a flexible character and permits of considerable relative movement of sections without opening the joint, or in any way damaging it. In this respect, it presents an advantage over the commonly used cement joint which breaks away and opens up when ground sag occurs.

Some of the advantages of this construction are:

First, the jointing material may be cast on the pipe sections at the plant under the most favorable conditions and by methods that will insure maximum adherence to the pipe.

Second, pipes equipped with jointing material in this manner can be laid under any climatic conditions and in any kind of soil.

Third, joints so prepared will positively center the pipe sections automatically thus insuring perfect alinement and avoiding the bulging of the jointing material into the pipe with resultant clogging.

Fourth, no damming sary as the joint can this is necessary.

Fifth, a minimum of is necessary.

Sixth, pipe sections so joined allow immediate back-fill of the trench or ditches in which they are laid.

Seventh, such joints facilitates the usual inspection required of such pipes.

Eighth, the joint absorbs no ground water and in turn prevents ground contamination. Infiltration need not be considered.

Ninth, such joints withstand pressure to advantage beyond that Which is required of them and are root-proof.

Tenth, a joint so formed is flexible, permitting slight torque or ground sag without injury to the joint.

Eleventh, the joint is pre-shrunk and is ready for immediate use.

Twelfth, pipes laid of joints of this character save considerable pumping expense for drainage, as it permits immediate use of the pipes for this purpose.

Joints of this type of construction provide an easy and a ready assembly of the pipe sections, and provide also a substantially tight and durable joint. The difficulty of assembling pipes in close quarters and then sealing by cement or other materials applied to the joint at the time the pipe is laid is hereby overcome and the cost of preparing the joint has been found to be relatively inexpensive.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The method of joining bell and spigot pipe or bulkheading is necesbe made under water, if

trenching and tunnelling sections consisting of molding a collar of soluble joint sealing material about the spigot end of one section, molding a lining band of'like material within the bell end of another section within which the collar equipped end of the first section may be fitted, then applying an evaporable solvent to the surfaces of the collar and lining band to render them plastic and subsequently fitting them together to cause said plastic surfaces to unite and congeal incident to evaporation of the solvent therefrom, thereby joining the collar and lining band in a homogeneous seal.

2. The method of joining bell and spigot pipe sections consisting of molding a tapering collar band of soluble joint sealing material about the spigot end of one section, molding a lining collar of similar material within the bell end of another section Within which the collar band of' the first section may be inserted in a fitted joint, then applying an evaporable solvent to the surfaces of the collar and lining to render them plastic, then fitting the sections together to cause the plastic surfaces to unite and congeal, incident to evaporation of the solvent therefrom, in a solid,

homogeneous seal.

JAMES C. JOHNSTON. 

